alessi, have you thought about inviting people to you?
I'm mostly an agnostic, so this is so not coming from a place of trying to preach to you, but religious communities often have a lot of really good, sincere people who want to help in the world. Back in my old city sometimes I'd visit the Mormon temple just because the missionaries really wanted to comfort sad people and make them feel better, and I was sad and desperately needed comforting. I knew I wasn't going to convert, but I thought we both got something out of it. We honestly had really good philosophical discussions, and they really, honestly helped me in those dark days. I'm grateful. Maybe you are religious and could call or e-mail (insert appropriate equivalent of priest here) and ask him/her to visit? If not you might pick someone who doesn't seem too bad and say you would like to hear what they have to say. Or not. It's just a thought. I wish the secular community would have some kind of similar community support safety net.
Or maybe try to volunteer for something in virtual or physical reality? You can look for groups you can contact in writing if picking up the phone is hard. (Some days it is for me.) Even if my meaning in life is "I help shelter cats have a less disgusting place to pee," that's meaning. It makes me feel anchored in life to feel I have some type of useful function in the strange urban ecosystem of people and cats, etc.
Anyways, don't be scared to consider unusual or utilitarian options. I hope things work out for you. You might get momentum once you find a way to put yourself out there.
30 Mar 2014, 3:20 am
